Conveyer



' Sept, 4, 1945-. E. E. BRUNNER CONVEYER 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July e, 1943 X 3nventof E. E. BRUNNER v Gttgn-neg Sept. 4, 1945. E BRUNNER 2,383,932

CONVEYER Filed Jul 6, 1943 I 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Figs. 3

E. E. BRU NER E. E. BRUNNER 2,383,932 I Sept. 4, 1945 CONVEYER Filed July 6, 1943 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 I 3nventor E. E. BRUNNER (Ittorncg Sept. 4,1945. E. E. BRUNNER 2,383,932

coNvEYEfz Filed July 6, 1943 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 5 E. B'RUNNER,

Sept4,1945. E, E. gRu NER 2,383,932

couvmmn v Filed July 6, 1943 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Juvcntor E. E. BRUNNER Gttorncu Sept. 4, 1945.

E. E. BRUNNER CONVEYER Filed July 6, 1943 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Ennentor E. E. BRUNNER imm z P 1945- E. E. BRUNNER 2,383,932

CONVEYER Filed ul 6, 194a 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 P E. E. BRUNNER I 2,383,932

CONVEYER Filed July 6, 1943 9 SheetsSheet 9 v Ennentor E. E. BRUNNER Patented Sept. 4, 1945 CONVEYER Eugene E. Brunner, York, Pa., assignor to Read Machinery Co. Inc., York, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application July 6, 1943, Serial No. 493,639 l Claims. (Cl. 198-168) This invention relates to aconveyerfor conveying fiowable solid material of the type in which f/ a conveying element having transverselyextended flights is drawn through a conduit or casing.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved conveyer of the character specified having a novel and improved conveying element particularly designed to be arranged to travelin the vertical and horizontal planes in a number of directions.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved poly-plane conveyer having a casing providing a pair of tubes having a slot formed lengthwise therebetween, and having a conveyer element disposed within the casing and including an endless belt disposed in one of the tubes and a series of flights disposed in the other tube and connected to the endless belt by means extending through the slot.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved conveyer having a conveyer element including an endless belt .and a series of flight units, the main body portion of which is formed of sheet metal having one or more openings therein, a reinforcing rib of sheet metal fastened edgewise to one face of the main body of each flight unit and being of triangular form with the base portion of the rib disposed adjacent to one side edge of the main body portion, -a bracket secured to the main body portion and to the base portion of the reinforcing rib and attached to the endless belt.

Another object of the invention. is to provide an improved conveyer in which the constituent elements are assembled and proportionedso that the conveyer conveys the material en masse in a circuit having, many directions and extending through a combination of horizontal, vertical and angular planes.

With the foregoing and other objects and advantages in view, the invention consists in the preferred construction and arrangement of the several parts which will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the conveyersh'own,

in Fig. 1; i

Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevation of a'portion of the structure shown in Fig. 2;

Fi 4 is a vertical the line 44 of Fig. 2;

'Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5- 5 of.

transverse section taken on conveyer embodying Fig. 7 is a section taken on the line '!1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing a modification;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing another form of the device;

Fig. 11 is a View similar to Fig. 8 showing a still further form of the device;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 8 of another form of the device;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view showing another form of conveyer belt; I

Fig. 14 is a sectional view of another form of conveyer belt;

Fig. 21 is a front elevation of the conveyor" shown in Fig. 20;

Fig. 22 is an enlarged elevation of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 21; and

Fig. 23 is a detail view of a portion of the:

structure shown in Fig. 21, the casing being removed.

' The present invention contemplates a conveyer comprising a casing provided with an inlet and one or more, outlets, and with a conveyer element having a plurality of spaced flights arranged to be drawn through the casing to eii'ect the conveyance therethrough of solid flowable material. The conveying element is-so formed that it is cap-able of being arranged in the form of a loop extending through a plurality of planes, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the improved co'nveyer of the present invention comprises a casing ll having a horizontal leg l2, a vertical leg l3, a second horizontal leg composed of sections Thus, as shown inFigs. l and 2, the conveyer Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line i5ii of or curved portion 22 from which a horizontatj, leg 23 may extend fora suitable distance to the.

lower end of the vertical leg I3.

Connecting the ends of the, legs l3 and 23 is an arcuate section 24, which:.ma-y bein the nature of a right angle bend, as shown in Fig. 2. A similar arcuate section may connect. the

upper end of the leg l3 to an end'of the leg 14, so that the sections 23, 24, i3, 25 and Mot-the: conveyer are all arranged in substantially the same vertical lane, as shown in Fig. 1.

Since the legs l4, l5 and Itmay alllie in substantially the same horizontal plane, an.

arcuate section or right angle bend 26 may 'co'nnect leg l4 with leg I5, and a similar arcuate,

portion2l may connect leg IS with leg [6.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, legs ['4 and. I6 are arranged substantially parallel in the same horizontal plane,l and leg I5 is disposed substantially at right angles] thereto, so that in plan this portion of: the'conveyer is in the form of a U. The distance between the legs l4 and I6 may be varied to suit :the'installation conditions of the conveyor. Likewise,,the length or height of the legs I3 and I1 may be varied. to suit conditions." i

The conveying element of the present invention comprises an endless belt having a series of flights 46 mounted thereon at spaced intervals.

The belt 45 is disposed within the section 42 of the casing, and the flights 46 are disposed within the section 4|, the configuration of the casing being such that both portions of the conveying element are disposed in spaced relation. with respect to the wall of the casing.

The belt 45 is preferably formed with three V-shaped ribs 47, 48 and 43, and a fourth rib which may be disposed in the slot 43 when the casing is constructed in the manner shown.

The curved joints or eIbows ZS and 21 are shown-arranged in a horizontal plane.

The legs 16 and I! may be connected by a vertically arranged, arcuate section or elbow 28,

and the legs I! and It may be connected by a ila arran rsuaw c cn 9 e bpw The leg i8 may be arrangedin the same horint l a e with the l b n c n e te thereto by an arcuate section or elbow 30 and rt stra ehts c ion ...;Wh 11. J in h arcuate section or elbow 30 withthe endcfin; let 2!.

Since the .conveyer casing H is in the roam of. a continuous. unbrokenloop, discharge'putlets may be arranged at suitable points, throughout,

the length ot the conveyer, such as indicated at 32 and 33. It willbe.understoodhcweven.that the location of. the discharge outlets shown in Figs...1 andv 2, is for illustrative purposes only, and that these outlets can be located at de: sired points, in the conveyer, and also-as many outlets can beprovidedas desired. Thi s 'i s a1sc true. of thelocation of the inlet 2|,jsince the samemay be. located in the conveyer at any convenient point.

A suitable gate 34 ofgany usual or preferred.

construction may be provided at each outlet ior controlling, the flow of material therethrough.

Referring to Figs. 1 to. 8 inclusive, which illustrate thed tai on uct on cinneiam 015th? improvedconveyer, the casing i I. comprises two cti s 1. an

As shown best in Fig. .8, th e section of the n e a n a b t ai rm' a t be 01.

conduit, sub tantially circular in. crosssection.

A t 4 mm s -mthet ilars al .9i th casing between the two sections 4 I and 42 thereo i said slot being coextensive the lengthpt the casing.

Theribs. 41 and 43 are diametrically disposed, the rib 41 constituting an upper rib and the rib 49 constitutingialower rib.

The ribs48 and 50 are diametrically disposed, the rib '48 constituting an outer laterally disposed ribandthe rib 50 constituting an inner laterally disposed rib. v

The purpose of arrangingthe ribs 41, 48,; 4'9: and

50 at right angles to each otherin the manner shown in Fig. 8' will be hereinafter more fully described.

' Each flight 46 may be formedifrorn sheet metal or' plate steel of suitable gauge.

Secured to one face of each flight 46-is a rein forcing rib it (see Figs- 7 and l'f, of triangulart form and having a sideor leg portion 51 disposed adjacent to the side edge 56 of the flight.

One or more openings 52 may be formed' in each flight. These openings may be of any size and have any desired configuration.

, Secured to the edge portion 56' of each flight 4B and to the portion 51 of each ri-b'5l is a bracket 53- adapted to be mounted onthejjrih 55 of the conveyer belt in the, man er shown best inFigs.

'7 and 8-, and secured thereto.by means of p l s,

screws, bolts, rivets, or. other suitable fastening means 54. i

In the form of belt shown in Fig: 8, the rib 511'? of the belt is substantially rectangnlarin cross;

section and the brackets 53 are correspondingly formedtobe rigidly or tightly mounted on said rib;

"Arranged at. suitable points throughout the, length of the casingv H, isa series of. sheaves BL,

62-, 63, 64 65,69,151 and. B8.

It will be understood that amr numberv of sheaves maybe installed in the conveyer, depend: ing upon the configuration and, length of the cir cuit. In the presentinstance a sheave isj hown disposed at each point in the conveyer casing H having an elbow or'arcuate section. Someofj the sheaves'have horizontal axes so asto be vertically I disposed and other sheaves have vertical axesso, as to be horizontally disposed. Not all'ofjthe sheaves are shown indetail in the drawings; since all of the sheaves may be similarlyconstructedy as shown in Figs. 4'- and "7'.

Since the conveying element is enclosedby' the casing H, each sheave shoulcl'also be enclosed.

Thus, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2', sheave 5'! is en:- closed by a casing H, and sheavesfiz to 6.8 inclusive are likewise enclosed by casings 12, to T8,

inclusive, respectively. I

These enclosures for .the several isheavesjniaybe constructed as extensions of the casing section14L.

as shown in Fig. 4.

Each enclosure H to 18; inclnsive is provided, with bearings 19 for the shafts at to 88"irrclusiye of the sheaves-6f to 68 inclusive, respectively; "'1 v Each sheave has a groove 89'ior receiving-airib of the belt/45. In order that the flights 4e and the belt 4& winaesaese remain at all times in the same position within the casing II without any tendency totwist or turn out of such position while traveling through,

the casing, the sheaves are so arranged that, in the horizontal legs of the conveyer, the rib 48 of the belt is disposed in the groove 89 of the sheaves BI, 64, 65 and 68, which said sheaves are the several sheaves of the conveyer having vertically disposed axles or shafts (see Fig. 6); the rib 41 is supported by the grooves of the sheaves 62 and 61; and the rib 49 is supported by the grooves of the sheaves 63 and 66 (see Fig. 4), said-sheaves 62, 61, 63 and 66 being the several sheaves having the horizontally disposed axles or shafts. Thus, it will be noted that in the form of conveyer shown in Figs. 1 and 2, there are two sets of vertically disposed sheaves, one set of sheaves being adapted to engage with the rib 49 to support the conveying element in the manner shown in Fig. 4, and the other set of sheaves being adapted to engage the rib 41, in the portion of theconveyer such as shown at the bottom of Fig. 3. The horizontally disposed sheaves which engage the rib 48 of the belt are adapted to support the conveying element throughout the horizontal legs of the conveyer, as shown in Fig. 6. It will be noted that with the provision of the three ribs 41, 48-and 49, with which the belt is formed, it is possible to construct the conveyer with the series of horizontal and vertical legs, heretofore referred to, all of which legs may extend in numerous directions, 'such as is diagrammatically illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The invention, however, is not limited to the precise configuration of conveyer shown, since, due to the manner in which theconveying element is constructed, the apparatus is capable of being arranged in many other forms without departing from the invention. Also it will be understood that the sheaves can be located at any desired positions throughout the conveyer.

The belt 45 can be formed of suitable molded material, reinforced in any manner, and in order to limit to a minimum the amount of stretching,

of the material used inconstructing the belt 45, a 'cable Or similar element 55 can be embeddedlengthwise within the moldedmaterial, as shown in Fig. 8. I

For the purpose of pulling the conveying element through the casing, an electric motor or other suitableprime moverdevice 96 can be operatively connected to a shaft of one of the sheaves. As shown in Fig. 1, the shaft. 83 of sheave 63 is operatively connected to motor ,96.

Another form of casing I II is shown in Fig. 9, having a rectangular tubular section I I 2 for a correspondingly formed flight I I3 and a smaller tubular section II4 for the conveyer belt, The conveyer belt of the form of the invention shown in Fig. 9 is similar in construction to the belt 45 heretofore described. A slot H is formed between the two tubular sections I I2 and I I4 of the casing III, said slot being similar to the slot 43 shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 shows a casing IZI having a section I22 for a flight I23 of elliptical form, and a section I24 for the conveyer belt. In other respects constructed of any suitable material, sheet metal of suitable gauge will, in most instances, be found to be the best material for use in .formingthe several sections of .the conveyer casing. In Fig. 8, the casing section M is shown as being formed of a single piece of sheet metal of suitable length bent lengthwise to substantially circular form, and the casing section 4-2 may also be formed of a single piece of sheet metal bent lengthwise to the desired configuration to enclose the belt in the manner shown. In order to secure the two sections M, 42 together, section 42 may be formed with longitudinally extending outwardly projecting flanges 44v adapted to be secured to the longitudinal edges of the section M by any suitable means such as by Welding. This manner of constructing the sections of the conveyer casing may also be followed in forming the conveyers of the forms shown also in Figs. 9 and. 10.

On the other hand, the conveyer casingymay.

be formed of two complementary sections I3I and I32 having marginal flanges I33 detachably se-- cured together by bolts I34, as shown in Fig. 11. Another form of the invention is shown in Fig. 12, in which the conveyer casing MI is formed with a section I42 of rectangular crosssection and a section I43 of polygonal cross section.

The belt I44 of the conveyer element which is enclosed by section I43, is similar in construction to the belt 45 heretofore referred to, and said casing section I43 may be similar in form to the section 42 shown in Fig. 8. a

Individual U-shaped flight members I45, each having an arm formed with a bracket I46 fixed to the belt I44 in the manner-shown in-Fig. 8,

are disposed within the rectangular section I42 of the casing MI. I

' a flange I48 of the side wall I49 of thesection I42, the flange I48 being spaced from the, top I41 a suitable distance so as to provide a slot or gap I56 in which the bracket I46'arid rib I5! 0f the belt I44 are disposed.

Fig. 13 illustrates a modified form of belt I55 posed with respect to each other and project outwardly from the body of the belt on center lines disposed approximately 120 degrees apart. Between any two of the angularly disposed ribs,

- the belt I55 may be formed with a fourth rib I59 for receiving the bracket I60 of flight I6I adapted to beattached to the belt in the manner her'etofore described. With the belt of the. form shown in Fig. 13, the several sheaves I62, I63

and I64 can be arranged in the manner shown so that the belt will be guided in paths extending in a plurality of directions.

In some instances it may be desirable to construct the conveyer with V-belt I66, shown in.

Fig. 14, or with the type of V-beltI61 shown in Fig. 15.

In other cases it maybe desirable to utilize the double V-belt of the form shown in Fig. 16, in which the belt has a pair of oppositely projecting V-shaped ribs I69 and I10 adapted to be supported by sheaves HI and. I12, respectively, arranged in the manner shown. In this form of the invention the flights I13 are supported from the belt so as to project laterally therefrom.

Fig. 17 illustrates another form of double V-belt for the conveyer, comprising two V-shaped ribs I16, I11 disposed at an angle of approximately degrees with respect to each other, for sheaves arranged both vertically and horizontally, as shown at I18, I19, respectively.

.Fig3v18 shows the brackets 41:81 for the flights.

iH-henibedded the' body of theibelt [8,3, the flights: being. adapted to, be detachably' secured to-Ithabeltbyscrews l8,4.:mourltedsin the brack-- 7 ate in themannershown. Belt IE3 is .substan: tiallyrsimilar to..thebelti65.-

zrAnothenmanneraof securing the fiightsto the,

beltisshownin'Fig; 19,. wherein the belt I85 has brackets. l8l embedded therein, andwthe flights i588 aresecured'to. said brackets ,by screws I89, mounted in. a suitable internally threaded socket tall iormed'im therbnacket' I181. I

'As shownzintFigsgnml .to '23 inclusive, the conveyerwcan' beconstructed with spirals 201i, 202:,-

respectively, located" at suitable. points. The structural features: 013, thistform of. conveyer are, similar-to those shown. in Figs. 1 to. 8 inclusive. However; the provision of the spiral sections 201,

2B2 enables. the conveyerto, besoinstalled that the: direction of flight; ior'linstancetowards: the; right, can: be obtained by: utilizing a spiral section in which the conveying element moves in a counterclockwise direction, as. shown in Fig, 20..

Theconveying element 203 (Fig. 23') may be guided: through the spiral sections ML 202, by, constructing the casing 204 in the form of a spiral, as shown in Fig. 22;

:Thetdominant idea or feature; of the present invention is that the conveyer has its constituent elements assembled and proportioned so that it from the conveyer at'any number of points located at'any desired place therein.

With a conveyer made in accordance with this invention, great efiiciency is attained in: transputting the material and should a. choke occur,

' the conveyer element will pull through the materi'al and thus'reduce the risk of breaking-the belt and further in. the. circuit, should an outlet be blocked, the material will be carried round to the, next-outletor round andround until the clogged. outlet is free, automatically controlling the inlet. 1 y r While the preferred embodiments of the inventionhave been hereinillustrated and described,

it will be understood thatthe invention may beembodied iniother forms withinathe scope of the appended claims;

"Having thusdescribed my invention, what I claim is: I

1." In a conveyer," an endless; conveying element adapted to be drawnthrough an endless casing,

comprising a seriesoi flight units, each. of said flight; units: having, a main, body portion; firmed: of sheet metal, a, reinforcing-ribbf sheetymetale fastened edgewise to one face of the; main body a and having an end portion disposed substantially:

in alinement: withone side edge of the main bodyportiomabracket secured to. said main bodypogz-z;

tion, andto the end portion of -said rib, anendless belt having-a series: of longitudinalribs, means, for attachingnthev bracket of. each of said flighfi unitsto. one of the ribs of said belt, and-1 sheaves, mounted in the conveyer casing for engaging;- other ribsof said: belt for guiding the conveying: element through said: casing. a T 2;;I-n. a 'conveyer of the character described; in combination-,; aconveyer: element. including; endless'belt having a seriesgof; radially-disposed ribs form-ed lengthwisethereofgand adapted,t.0 engage the surfacesof: pulleys arrangedwith' their: axes at different angles/so that the belt is retained, fromtwisting in a predetermined, position, a plus; rality of flights for the material tobe: cenveyed'," and means carried; by said belt. for supporting theflights therefrom. I 3. A conveyer of-the character; described, (com;- prising a casing providing-a pairof tubes;arrangedside by side and having common walls deflningfla;

slot that extends lengthwise of the ccnveyenja conveying element enclosed by the casingz-andx.

1 including an endless, belt disposed in one tube! and having a continuous rib; projecting therefrom anddisposed' within said slot; and a series of flights;- disposed'in the other tube, means fdr'connecting said flights to the rib of? saidendless belt; and; sheaves mounted in the conveyer casingforcenf-J gaging said beltfor guiding the, conveyingi-ele-i ment through said casing, theb'eltand' the flights; of said conveying elementbeingsupportedbysaid; sheaves out of contact withvthe walls of said cast ing throughout the entire length :ofi said,con-.- veyer. i

4. In a conveyer of the charactern'described, in combination, a conveyer casing providing a pair of endless tubes having-a sl'ot formed length-t wise of the conveyor therebetweernone of said tubes constituting a trough through whichzthei material is conveyed, an endless belt within=the other tube, a plurality of flights disposed within the material conveying tube, a continuous rib projecting from said belt and disposed within said slot, means for connecting said flights to the rib of said endless belt; other ribs formed lengthwise of' said belt and projecting radiall with respect' to the main body of the belt, and sheaves mounted in theconveyer casing for engaging the other ribs of said belt for guiding the belt through said casing, the belt and the flights being supported solely by said sheaves out of contact with the walls of said casing throughout the entire length of said conveyer, said sheaves being arranged to retain the belt from twisting from a predetermined position within the casing.

EUGENE E. BRU'NNER. 

